Saudi Foreign Minister in Syria for first visit since 2011

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Syria yesterday, marking the first visit by a senior official from the kingdom since civil war erupted in 2011.

Prince Faisal arrived in Damascus, Syria’s Information Ministry said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited Jeddah on April 12.

Prince Faisal was received yesterday by Mansour Azzam, Syria’s Minister of Presidential Affairs, before meeting President Bashar Al Assad.

Prince Faisal’s visit highlighted “the kingdom’s keenness and interest to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that ends all its repercussions and preserves Syria’s unity, security, stability and its Arab identity”, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

Prince Faisal emphasised the importance of aid reaching all parts of Syria and the return of refugees, the ministry said.

Mr Mekdad’s visit to Jeddah came as Saudi Arabia prepared to host a meeting of nine Arab nations focused on ending Syria’s isolation at a time of fastpaced diplomatic shifts across the region.

Saudi Arabia and Syria have agreed to work to resume consular services and flights between the countries after they normalised ties.

Regional efforts have increased during the past few weeks to re-engage with Syria and reduce its isolation from the Arab world.

Tunisia yesterday said it was “keen to resume fraternal ties” with Damascus.

Syria has been suspended from the Arab League since the government began a clampdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.

Prince Faisal and Mr Mekdad said after their meeting in Jeddah that they agreed on the importance of resolving humanitarian difficulties.

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Syria in 2012 but the earthquake on February 6 led Arab states to reach out to the Syrian government to offer aid.

The rapprochement between Riyadh and Iran, an ally of Mr Al Assad’s government, was announced last month.

The visits represent a major step towards ending Syria’s decade-long regional isolation.

Kuwait yesterday denied reports its Foreign Minister would visit Syria tomorrow.

Sheikh Salem Al Sabah was among the several regional officials who met in Jeddah last Friday to discuss Syria.

Saudi Arabia and Syria have agreed to work to resume consular services and flights between the two countries